Forget This Pitch! Week 4 4/25-5/1
Dom but not Out
Dominic Smith represents the possible last batter for the NY Mets against St. Louis. New York has two runners on, at second and third, with the go-ahead run at second. St. Louis has their closer, Giovanny Gallegos in the game to shut the door. He’s thrown 20 pitches in his appearance and has Smith in a 1-1 count. St. Louis’ catcher calls for a 94 mph fastball middle-high to finish off the game. Instead, Smith says “#ForgetThisPitch” to the fastball being middle middle and pulls a hard grounder down the first baseline.
Paul Goldschmidt slides to snag the ball and then flips the ball to Gallegos running to cover the bag. However, Smith is busting it down the line and slides headfirst into the bag to beat Gallegos. Jeff McNeil who is the runner on second never stops running and beats Gallegos’ throw to home plate to take the lead. Gallego’s 21st pitch of his appearance changes the outcome of the game.
Down to the last out, Dom Smith dives headfirst into first to beat the throw and the tying AND go-ahead runs score! Unbelievable! pic.twitter.com/GpQlNV5lDr
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 26, 2022
Keirmaier
Kevin Kiermaier is up to bat in the bottom of the fourth inning facing the payoff pitch in a full count. Yohan Ramirez is asked to throw a 94 mph fastball on the outside part of the plate. However, with his 49th pitch, Ramirez throws the fastball over the middle of the plate. Keirmaier who isn’t the best or most consistent hitter says “#ForgetThisPitch” and sends the ball over the right-field fence for a two-run home run.
Kiermaier’s random hot streaks are one of my favorite things about watching the Rays pic.twitter.com/ORlAs6kpTv
— Gary (@gary_rays) April 28, 2022
Nomination for the Home Run Derby?
We have a first-ever this week. A repeat customer. And that guy is J.P. Crawford?! Not who you were guessing I’m sure but when a player puts a Ken Griffey Jr. type swing on a home run ball. Yeah, that’s going to get my attention every time. I mean Griffey has the most beautiful swing of all time. So, in the top of the seventh inning facing reliever Colin Poche who has put Crawford in the driver’s seat with a 3-1 count. Tampa Bay’s Rene Pinto wants Poche’s ninth pitch to be up and middle of the zone fastball.
Put JP Crawford in the god damn home run derby 😎 pic.twitter.com/Lt6M4JCp0B
— zachleft (@zachleft) April 28, 2022
Instead, a 92 mph fastball comes in up and in against Crawford who decides to show off his impression of a Griffey swing. Coincidently it’s Crawford’s first hit of the game. Until next week.